But Karl Rove, the former senior political adviser to President Bush and architect of his presidential election victories, said such calls from Democrats for Mrs. Clinton’s withdrawal were unwise and unbecoming.

“I think it’s a mistake for his campaign to be calling for her to drop out,” Mr. Rove said on Fox. That would be seen as “rubbing her nose” in the fact that she is trailing, he said. “It’s up to the delegates at the convention to decide who wins and loses,” he added.

There are at least three reasons why Rove is doing this.

1) He loves media attention.

2) He wants the Democratic race to go on as long as possible to use up as much Democratic campaign money as possible.

3) He has made it clear that Clinton is the candidate he thinks would be easiest for Republicans to beat.